Dirty cages can make your birds susceptible to bacterial infections and other diseases. So, it's important to clean it to minimize the risk of infection and keep your bird in its best shape. But to make it easier for you, we'll dissect and categorize the cleaning tasks daily, weekly, and monthly.
Bacterial infections: Bird cages can become contaminated with bacterial pathogens. Birds are then infected from the exposure. A bird suffering from a bacterial infection may experience a runny nose, loss of appetite, wheezing and watery diarrhea. These viruses travel easily from bird to bird.
How do I clean my bird's cage? The entire cage should be sprayed down, washed, or scrubbed down at least once weekly with a non-toxic disinfectant soap and hot water.
To help save time, bird owners can layer paper cage liners, up to seven or so, in the tray and throw out the top layer every day or as needed. If using a litter, changing it at least once or twice a week is necessary, and more often if the bird is particularly messy.
Water cleanses them from dirt, parasites, bacteria and other unpleasantries. This is important because should their feathers stay unwashed, these pests can damage their feathers, cause infections, disease and perhaps even kill our poor flyer. Once the feathers are washed, it is easier for the birds to preen.
Keeping a sanitary cage minimizes the bird's exposure to potentially harmful bacteria, viruses and other potentially harmful organisms. Routine cleaning of the bird's cage should include washing water bottles/bowls and food bowls daily, especially those used for fresh foods.
Water to bathe in is just as important for birds, especially in winter. It is essential that they keep their feathers in good condition. Bathing is an important part of feather maintenance. Dampening the feathers loosens the dirt and makes their feathers easier to preen.
It depends on the situation. Some birds prefer to remain uncovered during bedtime, and other birds simply cannot sleep without a "security blanket." On average, birds need about 12 hours of good, quality sleep each night to remain in peak condition.
Life in captivity is often a death sentence for birds, who may suffer from malnutrition, an improper environment, loneliness, and the stress of confinement. Birds are meant to fly and be with others of their own kind in a natural environment. Confinement causes birds to have temper tantrums and mood swings.
Poop trays need weekly cleaning to remove germs and bacteria and protect your bird from infection. But if you have the luxury of time, you can do this more often while replacing the cage liner daily.
Birds can get jealous and territorial, but with the right steps, it is possible to ease the tension and counteract your bird's jealously. Small birds can often become jealous of another bird in the household, a family member, or even one of his toys!
The only way to keep your bird cage clean and get rid of bad smells is by deep cleaning it and any other surfaces your bird has touched, weed or pooped on. Deep clean the cage once a week and carry out other daily tasks like refreshing their liner, food and water.
Birds often talk, sing or whistle when they are happy. They also click their tongue as a sign they want to be petted. If you have noticed your bird hanging upside down, this usually means he is happy and comfortable in his environment.
The best option for cleaning your bird cage is a mild, unscented soap-like dishwashing liquid. Make sure to rinse the soap off completely and dry the cage thoroughly before returning your feathered friend to their home.
HUMAN SALIVA contains pathogens that are deadly to birds. Never allow a bird to place its beak in your nose or mouth. Do not allow them to "clean your teeth".
Some birds become depressed or aggressive from confinement, and even mutilate themselves or each other. Just like puppy mills, bird mills breed misery and disease.
Often, environmental changes, such as a recent move to a new home, new people or pets in the house, loud noises (such as from construction or thunder), or even a change in the location of the bird's cage in the house or of the color of paint on the walls, can stress or upset a bird.
Don't pet your bird anywhere below their neck, and only pet them gently on their head. Even if a bird's sexual organs aren't located in the areas of their back and beneath their wings, most birds still prefer being pet on the head and neck.
This will be unpleasant for your bird and birds should never be allowed to become dependent on a human (or anything else) to that degree. Even if there were no physically dangerous aspects to sharing your bed with your bird, you run the risk creating a poorly adjusted and mentally insecure parrot.
Some birds are afraid to be left alone. For these birds leaving some kind of noise, even if it's quiet noise in the room when you're out, can be comforting. I'm a big fan of television. I like to leave something on TV so my bird can watch something and hear sound.
Let them sleep as long as they can. Unless their bird cages are covered, birds usually awaken when the sun comes up. Keep in mind that your bird should have at least 10 hours of darkness, so if the sun rises at 6:30 a.m., you should not keep your bird up past 8:30 p.m. the night before.
A bird is fully capable of drying itself and a little bit of shivering in the process is normal and even healthy. The slight shaking of feathers that shivering invokes, can help a bird shake water out of its feathers.
A sunny, warm room, free of drafts provides the bird with a comfortable setting to dry out and preen without getting chilled. Some birds enjoy being dried with a gentle warm hair dryer, but great care must be taken not to overheat the bird.